k30 questions

[keelue]

i'm thinking about buying an 87 k30, 454tbi with a 205/465 (love that combo). it was a municipal truck with a utility bed and clean as a whistle but it has 70k miles. seller will keep the u bed. plans would be 4-6 in lift and 37-39 in tires, lockers front and rear. and to put an 8' bed on it. crossover and higher gears at some point (it has 4.10's now)

i really know nothing about 454's or tbi, anything to look out for? anything to expect to have serviced in the near future? good upgrades?

as far as the lift goes, i'll probably have some custom springs made, i don't need 1 ton hauling capability but i do need more than a half ton. other than springs and brake lines what else would i need? raised steering arm?

do the frames of 1 tons tend to crack around the steering box like the k5's?

thanks for all the help, been a lurker for years and built up the blazer with the help of all you. think it's time to part with it though

 

[imiceman44]

i'm thinking about buying an 87 k30, 454tbi with a 205/465 (love that combo). it was a municipal truck with a utility bed and clean as a whistle but it has 70k miles. seller will keep the u bed. plans would be 4-6 in lift and 37-39 in tires, lockers front and rear. and to put an 8' bed on it. crossover and higher gears at some point (it has 4.10's now)

i really know nothing about 454's or tbi, anything to look out for? anything to expect to have serviced in the near future? good upgrades?

as far as the lift goes, i'll probably have some custom springs made, i don't need 1 ton hauling capability but i do need more than a half ton. other than springs and brake lines what else would i need? raised steering arm?

do the frames of 1 tons tend to crack around the steering box like the k5's?

thanks for all the help, been a lurker for years and built up the blazer with the help of all you. think it's time to part with it though

The K30 frame is much thicker, but if abused can still crack so I would expectthis one to still have a good frame and some bracing now with a bolt on would be a good idea.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Shackle flip in the rear

The frame is significantly thicker on a 1 ton but that isn't really applying material in the correct way to help the frame, the thicker frame helps but they crack out just like any of them do (and 1 tons often see harder use than 1/2 tons).

 

[keelue]

Shackle flip in the rear

The frame is significantly thicker on a 1 ton but that isn't really applying material in the correct way to help the frame, the thicker frame helps but they crack out just like any of them do (and 1 tons often see harder use than 1/2 tons).

yeah i was going to contact you guys in the next few days. used your shackle flip, poly bushings, and steering brace on my k5 and like the flex and ride. but since i don't really need a 1 ton rating wouldn't i get a somewhat softer ride going with custom springs? gonna be doing a lot of wheeling out here in the arizona desert, lots of ruts and rocks

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Sounds like an AWESOME truck!!! I wish I could find something like that around here!!!

Steering brace, crossover steering, and a shackle flip for sure!!! I'd say hydro assist is a definite for 39's and sure is nice even with 37's! If ya go 37's, I'd do a 4" lift and a little fender trimming, they'll fit perfect! 39's can fit at 4" lift with some more cutting though, a 6" lift and 39's is a hot looking combo!!! I'd wanna go 4" lift, 39's, and fender cutting myself though, for a bit lower COG. I loved my Jimmy with ~4" lift (3" springs and tons swap so, about 4" total) and 37's but always wished I'd gone 39's and just trimmed more fender! I had Tuff Country EZ ride front springs and they were a VERY nice riding lift, good shocks help too, can't go wrong with good shocks!!! If you don't need the 1 ton's payload capacity, you could switch to some lighter duty rear springs (maybe even a longer set of springs too!), or even get fancy and get nice soft set of Deavers for a WAY smoother ride than the thick stock set!

 

[keelue]

Sounds like an AWESOME truck!!! I wish I could find something like that around here!!!

Steering brace, crossover steering, and a shackle flip for sure!!! I'd say hydro assist is a definite for 39's and sure is nice even with 37's! If ya go 37's, I'd do a 4" lift and a little fender trimming, they'll fit perfect! 39's can fit at 4" lift with some more cutting though, a 6" lift and 39's is a hot looking combo!!! I'd wanna go 4" lift, 39's, and fender cutting myself though, for a bit lower COG. I loved my Jimmy with ~4" lift (3" springs and tons swap so, about 4" total) and 37's but always wished I'd gone 39's and just trimmed more fender! I had Tuff Country EZ ride front springs and they were a VERY nice riding lift, good shocks help too, can't go wrong with good shocks!!! If you don't need the 1 ton's payload capacity, you could switch to some lighter duty rear springs (maybe even a longer set of springs too!), or even get fancy and get nice soft set of Deavers for a WAY smoother ride than the thick stock set!

yeah cog is important to me and i don't mind cutting the fenders, 4" with 39's might be the goal. stoked to have a new project, gonna meet up with him later this week to haggle price and set up a time to help get the utility bed off...which i'm sure will be a bi***!

 

[blowedupmotor87]

yeah cog is important to me and i don't mind cutting the fenders, 4" with 39's might be the goal. stoked to have a new project, gonna meet up with him later this week to haggle price and set up a time to help get the utility bed off...which i'm sure will be a bi***!

Hopefully it'll go smoothly, good luck! Post up some pics when you get a chance!!!

 

[Fred_M1010]

The frame is significantly thicker on a 1 ton but that isn't really applying material in the correct way to help the frame, the thicker frame helps but they crack out just like any of them do (and 1 tons often see harder use than 1/2 tons).

The K30 frame is much thicker, but if abused can still crack so I would expectthis one to still have a good frame and some bracing now with a bolt on would be a good idea.

I'm pretty sure the frame got the same thickness around the steering box on both my K10 and my K30.
The rear part of the frame is thicker on the K30 though.

 

[imiceman44]

I'm pretty sure the frame got the same thickness around the steering box on both my K10 and my K30.
The rear part of the frame is thicker on the K30 though.

The frame is thicker all over, it's the same height in the front but taller in the rear.
If you had compared a K5 to a K30 at the steering box, or even at the front frame section where the bumper bolts you would notice it more.
I have cut a few of them so I know the difference.

 

[keelue]

so met with him today and the truck is officially paid for with title in hand! picking it up sunday, pics to follow.

damn tho...bank account is gonna be looking at me like wtf?! tires....rims...alcan springs? bed and paint...shocks...steering....

like someone else said though, beats paying a shrink...